10 July 2017

We are aware that Kingston Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are reviewing their policy on access to gluten free food on prescription and are asking local people for their views. 

The CCG currently follows the National Prescribing Guidelines and prescribes up to 18 units (depending on age and gender) a month of gluten free staple foods. However, the CCG is now considering removing access to gluten free food on prescription.

Have your say

The consultation has been extended and is open until 14 July 2017 and we would encourage you to respond to make sure your voice is heard. The online survey can be found at:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/choosingwiselykingston

If you wish to request a hard copy of the survey, please contact the CCG by calling 020 8339 8000 or write to NHS Kingston CCG, FREEPOST RTEA-KBHY-CHCS, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Guildhall 2, High Street, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 1EU 

The CCG has also arranged drop in sessions as an opportunity for you to voice your opinions on this consultation in person. The sessions shall be held on the following dates: 

• Wednesday 29 March, 5.30pm – 8pm

Tolworth Recreation Centre, Fullers Way North, KT6 7LQ 

• Thursday 6 April, 11am – 2pm

Richard Mayo Centre, Eden St, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1HZ 

• Wednesday 12 April, 2pm – 5pm

Surbiton Health Centre, Ewell Rd, Surbiton, KT6 6EZ 

We apologise for the short notice for the meeting on 29 March but have only just been made aware of the consultation.

You can also send your views directly to the CCG by emailing: communications@kingstonccg.nhs.uk

We would also encourage you to write to your local MP, we have a sample letter on our website which you can use, or please feel free to write your own letter explaining how the proposed changes would affect you.

Share your story

As part of our work in opposing proposed prescription cuts, we are looking for people who would be affected by the proposed prescription cuts to act as case studies. This will enable us to give examples to the media of how this policy change would affect people with coeliac disease. To become a case study or to find out more about interview opportunities please call us on 0333 332 2033.

Coeliac UK communication with the CCG

We will be submitting a formal response in support of continuing access to gluten free food on prescription. Our arguments will focus on the importance of gluten free staples on prescription to support management and adherence to the gluten free diet in view of cost and availability issues. Research shows that gluten free staple foods are not readily available to purchase in budget supermarkets and convenience stores and that gluten free staple foods are 3-4 times more expensive than gluten containing equivalents. We will also be asking local healthcare professionals for their support.

We will provide updates as the situation progresses through direct mailings, Crossed Grain magazine and on our website.